1. Scan and alter a photo using image software into a 1-1/2 inch square. Print out on quality white printer paper.

2. Spray lightly with fixative and let it dry.

3. Cut out picture with a 1-1/2 inch hole punch. Cut out a 1-1/2 inch-circle out of plain white paper too.

4. Pick beads that complement the colors in the picture and thread beads onto a headpin. Create a wrapped loop through the hole in the drop loop, and set it aside.

5. Apply a thin coating of polymer medium to the back of the optical test lens, brushing from the center outward to the rim. Quickly center and stick the picture down with the picture facing the glass, burnishing with your finger from the center outward to the rim.

6. Apply a thin coat of polymer medium to the back of the picture and stick the drop loop with the dangling beads in place at the bottom of the lens with only the hole hanging below the level of the rim.

7. Apply another thin coat of polymer medium and cover with the plain white paper circle. Let it dry and coat the back of this circle with a final thin layer of polymer medium.

8. Slide a bail or a jump ring through the hole in the top of the test lens handle.

9. Make a necklace out of matching beads and attach it to the bail or jump ring.

This post contains affiliate links: Dick Blick and Beadaholique

Copyright 2006 Cyndi Lavin. Not to be reprinted, resold, or redistributed for profit. May be printed out for personal use or distributed electronically provided that entire file, including this notice, remains intact.

1. Thread a long piece of Nymo O onto a beading needle, and pick up enough 11/0 seed beads to create a bail the length you want. Go through the loop on the tube and the Swarovski disc, and knot the thread well in the back. Glue the knot and clip ends after it dries.

2. Using the directions for the Spiral Stitch, add various colored and sized beads all around the inner core. Instead of adding core beads with each stitch, the 11/0 bead loop you created in step 1 will be the core. Stitch a couple of small seed bead loops to dangle the copper discs in the front as you work your way down the front.

3. Crimp the beading wire to one end of the toggle clasp. String enough beads to equal about half the desired necklace length. Take into account the length of the copper tube too.

4. String on the tube with the beaded bail and repeat the pattern for the other half of the necklace strap. Crimp the wire to the other end of the toggle clasp. Cover the crimps with copper crimp covers.

Copyright 2009 Cyndi Lavin. Not to be reprinted, resold, or redistributed for profit. May be printed out for personal use or distributed electronically provided that entire file, including this notice, remains intact.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Blue Bells has no clasp, so make sure that you string the necklace long enough to fit comfortably over your head. I used some terrific multi-colored ribbon-style yarn to make this necklace, but feel free to experiment with the fabulous array of fibers that are available these days!

1. String 50 Czech crystals onto 28 gauge wire. I used dark blue. Leaving a 4 inch tail, crochet the wire together with multicolored flat ribbon "yarn". Slide a crystal into place every few stitches. I crocheted a long enough length to be able to fold it into quarters. Vary this section to suit yourself. When you've finished crocheting, leave another 4 inch tail.

2. Fold the long strand up and use the tails to wrap around and secure them together. Cut another piece of wire for the other end if needed. Twist the wire ends together so that you can hide them inside the beads in the next step.

3. Cut a piece of beading wire and crimp it around one end of the crocheted strands, close to the other wires. Slip 5 or 6 clapperless Indian bells over all the wires, followed by a large-holed silver bead and more bells. Clip all the wires except for the beading wire even with the top of the large-holed bead. Thread on more beads to create the back of your necklace.

4. When the necklace is the length you desire, reverse the process of burying the other wires and crimping the beading wire into place on the other side.

Copyright 2009 Cyndi Lavin. Not to be reprinted, resold, or redistributed for profit. May be printed out for personal use or distributed electronically provided that entire file, including this notice, remains intact.

Come on a journey through a bead and jewelry wonderland, where no item is considered too strange to use in making something ... especially if that item has a hole in it! All types of beads are welcomed and cherished here, and no techniques are off-limits. You'll be amazed and inspired by the handmade beaded jewelry and the bead embroidery that is being made today!